Now Commenting On:

Edmonds may start season on DL

Edmonds may start season on DL

PEORIA, Ariz. -- Center fielder Jim Edmonds could be a candidate for the disabled list instead of the Padres' Opening Day roster.

General manager Kevin Towers said on Thursday that Edmonds -- who strained his calf on March 6 -- hasn't been able to resume full baseball activities yet.

"I think he's still a ways away from being in a game," Towers said. "... There is still a chance that he'll be ready for Opening Day, but until he plays in some games and feels comfortable ..."

If nothing else, Edmonds appears to be running out of time.

Following Thursday's game against the Mariners, the Padres only have seven games in Arizona before breaking camp to play two exhibition games, in San Diego on March 28 and in Anaheim on March 29.

Towers said he would, in all likelihood, like to have his 25-man roster set before leaving Arizona on March 27.

That means Edmonds -- whom the Padres traded for in December -- would likely begin the season on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to March 21.

That would mean he would miss the first five games of the regular season and would be eligible to come off of the disabled list on April 5.

Edmonds ran on a practice field on Thursday afternoon and has been playing some long toss, taking fly balls and taking some batting practice, according to Towers. But the GM had yet to talk to team trainers to get a report on how the session went.

"It's tough to tell because he hasn't done any baseball-specific activities, he's just starting to do that," Towers said. "He's pushed it a little bit."

Edmonds strained his right calf in a first-inning at-bat against the Rockies on March 6 in Peoria when he broke from the batter's box. The initial diagnosis, after an MRI exam, was that he would miss between two and three weeks.

Edmonds has only six at-bats this spring and might end up playing in some Minor League games to get some more reps at the plate.

Edmonds' tenuous status has left Towers and manager Bud Black several options for the start of the season. On Thursday, Scott Hairston started in center field with Jody Gerut in left, which could be a preview of Opening Day on March 31 against Houston.

Corey Brock is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.